Forum shows where Martin candidates stand on growth

A forum at Hobe Sound’s Banner Lake community this week gave Martin County Commission candidates a chance to tell residents where they stand on a variety of issues. But their comments on economic development and job creation, more than any other topics, show their differences.

Sally Swartz

Here’s a quick recap of what candidates in District 1 (Jensen Beach), District 3 (Hobe Sound) and District 5 (Palm City) said.

“It’s difficult for Martin County to overcome its reputation of not being open for business,” District 1 incumbent Doug Smith said. “There are all sorts of barriers in the comp plan (the county’s protective growth plan)…We need to remove the barriers to business.”

“Why haven’t we made the changes in the (11) years you’ve been on the commission?” asks District 1 challenger Tom Fullman. “We’re open for business. We need to focus on small business. We don’t need to build cities out west (that would) destroy cities along the coast.”

“Mr. Smith had time to make changes,” said District 1 challenger Henry Copeland. “He didn’t. When someone says Martin County is closed for business, they need an attitude adjustment.”

In District 3, incumbent Patrick Hayes said he supports “efficient county government with as little regulation as possible” but adds, the process “isn’t operating as effectively as it can.”

“The whole world is experiencing economic problems,” District 3 challenger Anne Scott said. “We have fared better than many.” Making land use changes and waiving impact fees, she said, is not the answer. Most people move to Martin for the good quality of life and good schools. The next commissioner should demand the commission stop wasting so much staff time on “growth out west that we don’t want.”

District 3 no-party candidate Craig Woll said the county could make growth easier. Hobe Sound Bible College, he said, had plans and materials but then had problems getting permits for a simple project to build restrooms.

“I would encourage economic development within the urban services district,” said District 5 candidate John Haddox. “I’m for fair impact fees. I would hold the line on taxes and I would not approve a half cent increase in the sales tax. I would be innovative; I would work with the small business community. Our quality of life and our schools attract businesses. I am a controlled growth candidate. I’m pro-jobs, but we don’t need to pay for development.”

District 5 candidate Brandon Tucker said he believes Martin has to “lower the barriers to growth…There’s a perception of a culture within Martin that it’s difficult to do business in Martin County, that in Martin County everything is too difficult. We have to change the culture on the commission, to help businesses succeed and get things done in an efficient manner.”

Few residents of Banner Lake, a predominately African-American community, attended its first-ever candidates forum, and campaign workers for the commission and sheriff’s candidates probably outnumbered residents in the audience. Perhaps residents don’t realize that several local races are decided in the Republican primary. Moderator Pat Austin’s “lightning round” of yes-no questions, with candidates answering questions by holding up a paddle with “yes” on one side or “no” on the other, was a crowd-pleaser.

The commission candidates found common ground on the answer to the evening’s last question: “Do you think our federal officials are working collaboratively to create jobs and solve economic issues?” The photo below provides the answer.